The bullets hit the wood with full force and exploded. Shrapnel flew inexorably in all directions and drilled into their victims. Screams rang out. The mixed stench of burnt flesh and gunpowder vapor filled the air.
"RETURN FIRE!" roared the captain of the flying frigate, which had to take another volley of bullets. The WINDRAIDER trembled under the new impact and lost the oar, which meant that she could now inevitably only fly straight ahead.
"We don't stand a chance. You must evacuate the ship, Captain Morgan!" cried the first mate.
The mainmast received another hit. With a loud crash, the wood broke and the mast began to tip over.
"Damn! CAREFUL!" roared Captain Morgan, but it was too late. The mast tipped over sideways and killed 3 sailors who had the misfortune to stand in its way.
Due to the shifted weight, the WINDRAIDER leaned into an inclined position.
Some sailors were surprised by this and fell screaming over the railing into the depths.
"EVACUATE THE SHIP!" Captain Morgan roared, adding softly to himself. "... and pray that you get away."
A jolt went through the WINDRAIDER and the ship went further into the inclined position. It wouldn't be long before the ship would turn around due to the shifted weight.
A woman in half-armor stumbled through a door into the open. Another volley hit the ship and for a moment she lost her balance, but clung to the open door.
Marianne stared in the direction from which the volleys came.
A gigantic ship with 7 masts hovered not far from them. She shook her head in disbelief. The ship began to turn slowly and 2 large wooden wings folded down on both sides. In the front area, 2 flaps opened on both sides and Marianne could see dragon-like creatures. Black lizards on 2 legs, without arms but with a poisonous sting on their tails. Nexuswyvern! Warriors in black leather armor sat on them and drove their riding lizards into the open.
One Nexuswyvern after the other pushed off and flew towards the WINDRAIDER. Like a flock of vultures, they approached their prey.
Captain Morgan crossed himself. He knew there was no escape. "RAM THE WINDRAIDER INTO THE GROUND!" he yelled at the helmsman.
"What?" The helmsman stared at the captain as if he had lost his mind. Captain Morgan pointed to the approaching Nexuswyverns. The helmsman turned, saw them, and then nodded. He pushed the ship into the lows.
A jolt went through the WINDRAIDER and then she slumped forward and steered towards the ground. Among them were only forests and rock fragments. The ship would shatter mercilessly, but perhaps some would miraculously make it. That's what Captain Morgan hoped, because there was no alternative.
Marianne reached for her sword, which was on her back, right next to a leather tube. She took a deep breath. They were not allowed to get the contents of the tube.
The first Nexuswyvern reached the WINDRAIDER. They specifically attacked a lifeboat that was in the process of detaching. The claws drilled into the wood and splintered the boat. Sailors were seized and torn to pieces. The mortal remains simply dropped the Nexuswyvers into the depths. Some sailors jumped into the depths despite the heights, because they did not want to follow the fate of their comrades, but the fast flying lizards intercepted them and did the same.
The ship plunged faster and faster towards the ground and the fallen mast, still hanging from the hull, continues to turn the ship. A Nexuswyvern grabbed the helmsman from behind and he screamed in pain, but clung to the steering wheel with all his might. He and Captain Morgan looked at each other for a moment, then he was swept away by the Nexuswyvern. Moments later, the screaming stopped. Captain Morgan turned away. They had served together for 20 years and now it was over.
17 Nexuswyverns swarmed around the WINDRAIDER like a swarm of locusts, mercilessly grabbed the crew and killed them.
Marianne had seen one of the flying lizards and was rushing towards her. She raised her sword, knowing that she had no chance, but she would not give up without a fight.
At this moment, the WINDRAIDER finally lost its balance and tilted to the side. Marianne lost her balance and fell backwards over the parapet into the depths. The Nexuswyvern missed her at first, but then followed up. Marianne, falling backwards into the depths, thrust her sword in the heat of the moment against the swooping Nexuswyvern, and the sword pierced her claw. The flying lizard roared and stopped the dive. Marianne continued to fall and saw the WINDRAIDER slowly turning to the ground. Then she fell through the trees.
The next moment a jolt went through her body. She was dragged forward. Her fall ended abruptly and she felt claws on her shoulders.
"No," it shot through her head. The Nexuswyvern had caught her after all and was about to tear her apart. Over. Over and over. In the distance, the loud impact of the WINDRAIDER could be heard, followed by an explosion.
Marianne was carried further through the forest, then the claws let go and she flew to the ground with a scream, but landed easily. She fell into a huge pile of leaves.
Above the crash site, the huge ship with the 7 masts circled and picking up the Nexuswyvern.
Marianne turned over in pain. She lay on her back on the pile of leaves and breathed heavily. Every bone in her body hurt. Slowly she tried to understand what had happened and stared at the treetops above her. Suddenly, a shadow fell over her. Marianne flinched and saw the huge ship flying overhead. She held her breath, didn't move, and after what felt like an eternity, the ship was over her.
She was confused and relieved at the same time. Relieved that the ship was gone, but also confused that the Nexuswyvern hadn't killed her.
Slowly she straightened up and looked directly at a large beak.
Marianne screamed and tried to crawl backwards. She quickly realized that she hadn't been grabbed by a Nexuswyvern.
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